That was impressive - made me think of something ELP or Yes would have done.  The mix sounded very nice to my ears.

Hi,
Cool stuff ,brings me back ( once more) in my youth time ,something of Franck Zappa and all ,but after all I know I am wrong to compare because it is YOUR stuff and it is well done.
All the best.
Olivier.

Big smile on my face. Prog will win out. I could not possibly remember all these changes. Do you start with guitar lead, and build it from there?
 
Loved the chill-ish middle section. 
 
cheers,
-Tom

Vilovilo
Hi,
Cool stuff ,brings me back ( once more) in my youth time ,something of Franck Zappa and all ,but after all I know I am wrong to compare because it is YOUR stuff and it is well done.
All the best.
Olivier.

Thanks, Olivier!   Long-time Zappa fan myself but I don't hear him mentioned too often.   But I'll take it.  
 

Leadfoot
This was freakin awesome. Very creative. So many breaks. Kept me on the edge of my seat, sonically speaking. You should be proud of this!

Thanks, Bob!    Yes, I am a breaks fan, and just when I thought I was out they always pull me back in... 
 
 

This is crazy stuff! I was waiting and waiting for a groove to sprout and grow for a few bars, but the phrasing was relentless...the wind up and then unleashing, bar by bar it seemed of salvo attack. I was waiting for Martin Medeski & Wood to kick in!
 
Sounded good through my Yamaha hph mt220's. 

Wow!  I'm breathless!
Steve, this is good stuff!
Threw me back to MY years of listening to fusion and progressive rock.
Really good man!
After reading all the comments I don't really have anything to add, but I'm blown that you didn't write it down first (not that that matters.. MORE impressive that ventured into that "off the cuff")...

arlen2133
Wow!  I'm breathless!
Steve, this is good stuff!
Threw me back to MY years of listening to fusion and progressive rock.
Really good man!
After reading all the comments I don't really have anything to add, but I'm blown that you didn't write it down first (not that that matters.. MORE impressive that ventured into that "off the cuff")...

 
Thanks, Arlen!  Perhaps someday I'll retro less, but I suppose today is not that day.      I actually should write this stuff down more often though, because it can be difficult trying to figure out what I did after the fact.  You know, age and all.   
 

kakku
Stunning work. I bet this would be challenging to a singer to sing

Thanks, Antti!   I don't know what a singer would do over top of this, but I would sure like to hear it!
 

stevec

arlen2133
Wow!  I'm breathless!
Steve, this is good stuff!
Threw me back to MY years of listening to fusion and progressive rock.
Really good man!
After reading all the comments I don't really have anything to add, but I'm blown that you didn't write it down first (not that that matters.. MORE impressive that ventured into that "off the cuff")...

 
Thanks, Arlen!  Perhaps someday I'll retro less, but I suppose today is not that day.      I actually should write this stuff down more often though, because it can be difficult trying to figure out what I did after the fact.  You know, age and all.   
 

Yep.. Age and all..

stevec
 
life is not fair
 
but that doesn't stop you from putting out kick azz music
 
best bands I 've seen were in a small bars
 
best muffins I ever had were my girlfriends, and she only bakes them for me
 
best music, and most eclectic I have heard were right here in the songs forum,
 
good is good, and you are good, no matter how old you are, or if you only get 50 listens
 
(which is about 46 more than I ever get )
 
don't stop old man , because you sound very fresh indeed

 
Nice transitions and the varying pace and beats makes it an interesting listen. Good one. 

As for Brand X... wow, I haven't thought about them in years.   But I really did like them, particularly that first album with Collins.

 
Unorthodox Behavior was the one I really liked. I don't remember if that was the first or not. I wonder what ever happened to Percy Jones? Man that guy could play.
 
Bill

Absolutely stunning, Steve.  Yes is one of my favorite bands and yes this piece reminds me of them in places yet it's original and creative.  !!
~Allan
-----------------------------------
 
Captain Able was once again manning the bridge on the mightly Songship as it plowed through the putrid soundwaves on the roiling -- but never rocking -- Sea of Sterile Pastiche.  Suddenly, Able heard an all too familiar sound coming from the hull of the ship -- an irritating droning croaking whiny sound that cheapened the senses.  Able quickly covered his ears while shouting to his navigator "It's those damned Barnacles -- they're trying to sully and sink the Songship.  Full speed ahead!"
 
Down below, The Barnacles -- Blahpoop, Steryl69, and Synkophant -- were desperately attempting to cling to the Songship in order to sink the towering song vessel.  And, as usual, they were accompanied by their faithful floating beta consorts, The Attaboys, led by Dymm with assistance from EphYOU.
 
As The Barnacles attached their tentacles to the hull of the Songship, they unleashed  a torrent of (f)artless lyrics which were delivered in a tuneless -- although auto-tuned -- fashion.  These dirges, sung without style, were accompanied by tinker toy faux reggae sounds which were grounded by thumps.  The Attaboys circled and cooed encouragement in the murky waters surrounding the Songship.
 
Able called out for the crew to ready for battle.  Soon, the air on deck sparkled as the Songship's crew played melodic song after song in various styles and arrangements.  Tuneful vocals singing well-versed lyrics rang out with resonance and interesting phrasing.  There was no need for auto-tune and the like.  Confronted again with the Songship's lack of banality, The Barnacles were driven into a furor.  Their only was to increase the volume of their monkey-like screeching.  In the midst of this cacophony The Attaboys -- having been given strict orders through underwater sonar messaging -- fell silent.
 
Nearly overcome by the mediocrity assaulting his ears, Captain Able deftly guided the Songship away from the area where The Attaboys were floating.  He then ordered the crew to increase the melodic sounds emanating from the deck.  Overcome by contact with actual talent, The Barnacles could not sustain their attack and fell from the hull into the swirling soundwave abyss. The Attaboys, floating leaderless, continued to comment amongst themselves about The Barnacles' greatness, but to no avail.  The Barnacles lay quiet at the bottom of the Sea of Sterile Pastiche, brought down once again by their own banality.
 
The Songship continued gliding into fresher waters guided by the most able Captain Able as new sounds were carried by fresh breezes across the newly christened Sea of Good Songs.